Wildfire crews from Mexico arrived in B.C. Monday to help in the ongoing fights against the more than 100 wildfires burning across the province.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar helped welcomed more than 100 Mexican wildfire personnel at Abbotsford International Airport Monday, Aug. 3, a statement from the ministry says. Another 200-plus personnel are set to arrive later in the week.
“They’ve travelled from their homes to help us protect ours amidst a challenging wildfire season. As British Columbians, let’s welcome them warmly as they prepare to work alongside our BC Wildfire Service crews,” Parmar said.
The arrival comes as 126 wildfires are burning across the province as of Monday afternoon, B.C. Wildfire Service’s latest update says.
Of the 126 active wildfires, nine of those started in the last 24 hours.
Fifty-three are burning out of control, 20 are held and another 53 are considered under control.
There are currently 38 evacuations orders and 38 alerts.
Ahead of the long weekend, B.C. Wildfire Service warned that a cold front was in the forecast and was expected to bring thunderstorms and strong, gusty winds. By the time it was expected to reach the southern Interior, there would be little or no rainfall.
By Sunday, more than 2,200 lightning strikes led to 22 suspected lightning-caused fires in one day.
The Aug. 3 update said that many areas in B.C. experienced cooler temperatures resulting in less aggressive fire behaviour in some areas. However, other southeastern parts of B.C. are continuing to experience sustained warm, dry, drought conditions.
B.C. Wildfire Service says there will be gradual warming again starting in the south and moving northward.
Throughout the week, weather conditions are expected to return to hot, dry and windy, which will increase the potential for fire activity. B.C. Wildfire warns that could lead to holdover fires, lightning-caused fires where heat smoulders undetected until hotter, drier and windier conditions lead to more visible smoke.
– With files from Barbara Roden, Yashvika Grover